Container having a lid lock assembly and methods of making same from a blank

ABSTRACT

A blank of foldable sheet material for forming a container includes a top panel comprising a front edge, and a tuck flap extending from the front edge of the top panel to an edge of the blank. The blank also includes at least one releasable locking assembly located along at least a portion of the front edge of the top panel. The at least one releasable locking assembly includes a first locking assembly panel coupled to a second locking assembly panel along an intermediate fold line. The intermediate fold line is offset from the front edge of the top panel towards the edge of the blank.

BACKGROUND

The field of the disclosure relates generally to a container formed froma sheet of material, and more particularly to a container that includesat least one lid locking assembly having an upper and lower panel thatextends along at least a portion of a front edge of a top panel of thecontainer.

At least some known containers, such as containers for the foodindustry, do not include easily formed features that facilitate securinga lid to a base of the container when the container is closed. Inaddition, at least some known features that facilitate securing the lidto the base require additional material, such as additional flaps, to beincluded on a blank used to form the container. Moreover, it is wellknown in the food industry, including the pizza industry, to provide afood product to a consumer that is packaged in film, foil, paperwrap, abox, or a container. Such containers provide a convenient package tocarry the food product from the producer of the food product to a tableor other location for consumption by the consumer of the food product.However, if the container is sealed and unventilated and the foodproduct contained within the container is hot, moisture captured withinthe container may make the drier parts of the food product soggy.Conversely, if the container is too ventilated, there will be excessiveheat loss during product transfer. It is also convenient to placemultiple containers in a heated bag so a customer and/or delivery personis able to carry those containers from the restaurant for consumptionelsewhere. At least some of these containers may be time-consuming toform.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

In one aspect, a blank of foldable sheet material for forming acontainer is provided. The blank includes a top panel comprising a frontedge, and a tuck flap extending from the front edge of the top panel toan edge of the blank. The blank also includes at least one releasablelocking assembly located along at least a portion of the front edge ofthe top panel. The at least one releasable locking assembly includes afirst locking assembly panel coupled to a second locking assembly panelalong an intermediate fold line. The intermediate fold line is offsetfrom the front edge of the top panel towards the edge of the blank.

In certain aspects of the blank, the first locking assembly panel isrotatable into an oblique position with respect to the top panel and thesecond locking assembly panel is rotatable into an oblique position withrespect to the tuck flap when a lid of the container is formed.

In certain aspects of the blank, the first locking assembly panel isrotatable into the oblique position with respect to the top panel todefine a pair of first vent openings in the lid of the container onopposite sides of the first locking assembly panel, and the secondlocking assembly panel is rotatable into the oblique position withrespect to the tuck flap to define a pair of second vent openings onopposite sides of the second locking assembly panel, when the lid of thecontainer is formed.

In certain aspects of the blank, the first locking assembly panel isdefined within the top panel and the tuck flap, and the second lockingassembly panel is defined within the tuck flap.

In certain aspects of the blank, the second locking assembly panelextends from the tuck flap along a fold line defined within the tuckflap.

In certain aspects of the blank, opposing ends of the first and secondlocking assembly panels are defined by a pair of cut lines each definedin the tuck flap and the top panel.

In certain aspects of the blank, each of the pair of cut lines includestwo segments that extend obliquely with respect to the intermediate foldline and define an apex.

In certain aspects of the blank, the first locking assembly panel ispositionable such that the first locking assembly panel proximate theapex engages a free edge defined in the tuck flap by the cut line whenthe releasable lid locking assembly is positioned to secure a lid to abase of the container.

In certain aspects of the blank, the first locking assembly panelextends from the top panel along a first fold line, and the apex isspaced a distance from the first fold line that is approximatelyone-half to two-thirds of a distance between the first fold line and theintermediate fold line.

In certain aspects of the blank, the two segments of the cut line extendat opposite angles relative to the intermediate fold line, such that arespective magnitude of each angle is within a range of between 30 to 60degrees.

In certain aspects the blank further comprises a first front panel; andat least one first receiving structure defined in the first front panel,the at least one first receiving structure positioned to align with theat least one releasable lid locking assembly to facilitate releasablylocking a lid of the container when the container is formed.

In certain aspects of the blank, the first receiving structure comprisesa punch-out panel defined by a fold line and a cut line defined in thefirst front panel.

In certain aspects of the blank, the first receiving structure comprisesat least one of a cutout and a slot defined in the first front panel.

In certain aspects the blank further comprises a second front panel; andat least one second receiving structure defined in the second frontpanel, the at least one second receiving structure positioned to alignwith the at least one releasable lid locking assembly and the at leastone first receiving structure to facilitate releasably locking the lidof the container when the container is formed.

In another aspect, a container formed from a blank of foldable sheetmaterial is provided. The container includes a lid that includes a topwall and a front wall emanating from a front edge of the top wall. Thecontainer also includes at least one releasable locking assembly locatedalong at least a portion of the front edge of the top wall. The at leastone releasable locking assembly includes a first locking assembly panelcoupled to a second locking assembly panel along an intermediate foldline. The intermediate fold line protrudes outward from the front wallof the lid.

In certain aspects of the container, the first locking assembly panel ispositioned obliquely with respect to the top wall and the second lockingassembly panel is positioned obliquely with respect to the front wall ofthe lid.

In certain aspects of the container, a pair of first vent openings aredefined in the lid on opposite sides of the first locking assemblypanel, such that a cavity of the container is in flow communication witha surrounding environment outside the container through at least one ofthe pair of first vent openings.

In certain aspects of the container, a pair of second vent openings aredefined in the lid on opposite sides of the second locking assemblypanel, such that a cavity of the container is in flow communication witha surrounding environment outside the container through at least one ofthe pair of second vent openings.

In certain aspects of the container, the second locking assembly panelemanates from the front wall of the lid along a fold line defined withinthe front wall of the lid.

In certain aspects of the container, opposing ends of the first andsecond locking assembly panels are defined by a pair of free edges.

In certain aspects of the container, each of the pair of free edge ofthe first and second locking assembly panels includes two segments thatextend obliquely with respect to the intermediate fold line and definean apex.

In certain aspects of the container, the first locking assembly panelproximate the apex engages a free edge defined in the front wall of thelid.

In certain aspects of the container, the first locking assembly panelemanates from the top wall along a first fold line, and the apex isspaced a distance from the first fold line that is approximatelyone-half to two-thirds of a distance between the first fold line and theintermediate fold line.

In certain aspects of the container, the two segments of the free edgeof the first and second locking assembly panels extend at oppositeangles relative to the intermediate fold line, such that a respectivemagnitude of each angle is within a range of between 30 to 60 degrees.

In certain aspects the container further includes a base comprising afront wall of the base comprising a first front panel; and at least onefirst receiving structure defined in the first front panel, the at leastone first receiving structure positioned to align with the at least onereleasable lid locking assembly to facilitate releasably locking the lidof the container.

In certain aspects of the container, the first receiving structurecomprises a punch-out panel defined by a fold line and a cut linedefined in the first front panel.

In certain aspects of the container, the first receiving structurecomprises at least one of a cutout and a slot defined in the first frontpanel.

In certain aspects of the container, the front wall of the base furthercomprises a second front panel; and at least one second receivingstructure defined in the second front panel, the at least one secondreceiving structure positioned to align with the at least one releasablelid locking assembly and the at least one first receiving structure tofacilitate releasably locking the lid of the container.

In another aspect, a method of forming a container from a blank of sheetmaterial is provided. The blank includes a top panel that includes afront edge, a tuck flap extending from the front edge of the top panel,and at least one releasable locking assembly located along at least aportion of the front edge of the top panel. The method includes rotatingthe tuck flap toward an interior surface of the top panel, such that thetop panel forms a top wall of a lid of the container and the tuck flapforms a front wall of the lid. The method also includes rotating a firstlocking assembly panel and a second locking assembly panel of the atleast one releasable locking assembly about an intermediate fold line,such that the intermediate fold line protrudes outward from the frontwall of the lid.

In certain aspects of the method, rotating the first locking assemblypanel and the second locking assembly panel includes rotating the firstlocking assembly panel into an oblique position with respect to the topwall and rotating the second locking assembly panel into an obliqueposition with respect to the front wall of the lid.

In certain aspects of the method, rotating the first locking assemblypanel and the second locking assembly panel includes defining a pair offirst vent openings in the lid on opposite sides of the first lockingassembly panel, and defining a pair of second vent openings on oppositesides of the second locking assembly panel.

In certain aspects of the method, opposing ends of the first and secondlocking assembly panels are defined by a pair of cut lines each definedin the tuck flap and the top panel, each of the pair of cut linesincludes two segments that extend obliquely with respect to theintermediate fold line and define an apex, and rotating the firstlocking assembly panel and the second locking assembly panel includespositioning the first locking assembly panel such that the first lockingassembly panel proximate the apex engages a free edge defined in thefront wall of the lid by the respective cut line.

In certain aspects of the method, the blank further includes a firstfront panel and at least one first receiving structure defined in thefirst front panel, and the method further includes aligning the at leastone releasable locking assembly with the at least one first receivingstructure to facilitate releasably securing the lid to a base of thecontainer.

In certain aspects of the method, the at least one receiving structureincludes an aperture that extends through the first front panel, and themethod further includes receiving at least a portion of the firstlocking assembly panel and the second locking assembly panel proximatethe protruding intermediate fold line in the aperture.

In certain aspects of the method, the blank further includes a secondfront panel and at least one second receiving structure defined in thesecond front panel, and the method further includes aligning the atleast one second receiving structure with the at least one releasablelocking assembly and the at least one first receiving structure tofacilitate releasably securing the lid to the base of the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a blank of sheet material for constructinga container according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a container formed from the blank shownin FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a blank of sheet material for constructinga container according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a container formed from the blank shownin FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description illustrates the disclosure by way ofexample and not by way of limitation. The description clearly enablesone skilled in the art to make and use the disclosure, describes severalembodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives, and use of thedisclosure, including what is presently believed to be the best mode ofcarrying out the disclosure.

The present disclosure provides a stackable, collapsible container thatincludes a top panel and at least one releasable lid locking assemblylocated along at least a portion of a front edge of the top panel. Incertain embodiments, the at least one releasable locking assemblyprovides enhanced ventilation for a food product contained within thecontainer while also facilitating securing a lid of the container to abase of the container. The lockable container is constructed from ablank of sheet material. The blank is formed by a machine that impartsfold lines, cut lines, and other lines of weakness to the blank. In oneembodiment, the lockable container is fabricated from a paperboardmaterial. The lockable container, however, may be fabricated using anysuitable material, and therefore is not limited to a specific type ofmaterial. In alternative embodiments, the container is fabricated usingcardboard, plastic, fiberboard, paperboard, foamboard, corrugated paper,and/or any suitable material known to those skilled in the art andguided by the teachings herein provided.

In the example embodiment, the blank used to make the lockable containerincludes at least one marking thereon including, without limitation,indicia that communicates the product, a manufacturer of the productand/or a seller of the product. For example, the marking may includeprinted text that indicates a product's name and briefly describes theproduct, logos and/or trademarks that indicate a manufacturer and/orseller of the product, and/or designs and/or ornamentation that attractattention. “Printing,” “printed,” and/or any other form of “print” asused herein may include, but is not limited to including, ink jetprinting, laser printing, screen printing, giclee, pen and ink,painting, offset lithography, flexography, relief print, rotogravure,dye transfer, and/or any suitable printing technique known to thoseskilled in the art and guided by the teachings herein provided. Inanother embodiment, the blank is devoid of markings, such as, withoutlimitation, indicia that communicates the product, a manufacturer of theproduct and/or a seller of the product. Furthermore, the lockablecontainer may have any suitable size, shape and/or configuration, i.e.,any suitable number of sides having any suitable size, shape and/orconfiguration as described and/or illustrated herein. In one embodiment,the container includes a shape that provides functionality, such as ashape that facilitates packaging a food item, a shape that facilitatestransporting the container, and/or a shape that facilitates stackingand/or arrangement of a plurality of containers.

Examples of at least some useful benefits of the releasable lid lockingassembly described herein include securing the lid of the container tothe base of the container without requiring additional blank material tobe added the top front and/or bottom front panel to create a lockingmember. In addition, in some embodiments, the lid locking assemblydescribed herein facilitates forming at least one vent serving torelease steam generated by a heated food product contained within thecontainer to prevent the food product from becoming soggy andundesirable, while retaining heat to prevent the food product frombecoming cold too quickly.

Referring now to the drawings, and more specifically to FIGS. 1 and 2,although as described above a container may have any suitable size,shape, and/or configuration, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate the constructionor formation of an embodiment of the lockable container. Specifically,FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a first example embodiment of a blank 100of sheet material. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a first exampleembodiment of a container 200 formed from blank 100 shown in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 1, blank 100 has a first or interior surface 112 andan opposing second or exterior surface 114. Further, blank 100 defines aleading edge 116 and a trailing edge 118. Blank 100 includes, in seriesfrom leading edge 116 to trailing edge 118, a front tuck flap 134, a toppanel 120, a back panel 122, a bottom panel 124, a second front panel142, and a first front panel 136, coupled together along preformed,generally parallel, fold lines 126, 128, 130, 132, and 148 respectively.More specifically, top panel 120 extends from front tuck flap 134 alongfold line 126, back panel 122 extends from top panel 120 along fold line128, bottom panel 124 extends from back panel 122 along fold line 130,second front panel 142 extends from bottom panel 124 along fold line132, and first front panel 136 extends from second front panel 142 alongfold line 148. In particular, fold line 126 defines, and is alsoreferred to as, front edge 126 of top panel 120. Fold lines and/or hingelines as described herein may include any suitable line of weakeningand/or line of separation known to those skilled in the art and guidedby the teachings herein provided.

Blank 100 further includes a releasable lid locking assembly 150 locatedalong at least a portion of front edge 126. Releasable lid lockingassembly 150 includes a first locking assembly panel 194 coupled to asecond locking assembly panel 196 along an intermediate fold line 160.Intermediate fold line 160 is substantially parallel to, and offsettowards leading edge 116 from, front edge 126 of top panel 120. Firstlocking assembly panel 194 is defined within top panel 120 and fronttuck flap 134, and second locking assembly panel 196 is defined withinfront tuck flap 134.

More specifically, in the example embodiment, second locking assemblypanel 196 extends from front tuck flap 134 along a fold line 158 definedwithin front tuck flap 134 substantially parallel to, and offset from,leading edge 116. First locking assembly panel 194 extends from secondlocking assembly panel 196 along intermediate fold line 160. Morespecifically, first locking assembly panel 194 extends from intermediatefold line 160 to top panel 120, and is coupled to top panel 120 along afirst fold line 170 that is substantially parallel to intermediate foldline 160. First fold line 170 is offset from front edge 126 of top panel120 in a direction away from leading edge 116. Opposing ends of lockingassembly panels 194 and 196 are defined by a pair of cut lines 198 eachdefined in front tuck flap 134 and top panel 120.

First locking assembly panel 194 is rotatable into an oblique positionwith respect to top panel 120, and second locking assembly panel 196 isrotatable into an oblique position with respect to front tuck flap 134,when a lid of the container is formed, as will be described herein.Moreover, in certain embodiments, first locking assembly panel 194positioned obliquely with respect to top panel 120 defines a pair offirst vent openings in a lid of the container on opposing sides of firstlocking assembly panel 194, and/or first locking assembly panel 194positioned obliquely with respect to top panel 120 and second lockingassembly panel 196 positioned obliquely with respect to front tuck flap134 define a pair of second vent openings in the lid of the container onopposing sides of first locking assembly panel 194 and second lockingassembly panel 196, as will be described herein.

In the illustrated embodiment, each cut line 198 includes two segmentsthat extend obliquely with respect to intermediate fold line 160 anddefine an apex 188. First locking assembly panel 194 is positionablesuch that first locking assembly panel 194 proximate apex 188 engages afree edge defined in front tuck flap 134 by cut line 198 when releasablelid locking assembly 150 is positioned to secure a lid to a base ofcontainer 200, as will be described herein. In certain embodiments, apex188 is spaced a distance from first fold line 170 that is approximatelyone-half to two-thirds of a distance between first fold line 170 andintermediate fold line 160, such that first locking assembly panel 194has a greater width than second locking assembly panel 196. For example,the two segments of cut line 198 extend at equal but opposite anglesrelative to intermediate fold line 160. In some such embodiments, arespective magnitude of each angle is within a range of between 30 to 60degrees. In alternative embodiments, the two segments of at least onecut line 198 are co-linear, such that cut line 198 forms a straight linesubstantially perpendicular to intermediate fold line 160 and apex 188is not defined. In other alternative embodiments, apex 188 is spaced anysuitable distance from first fold line 170 and/or the two segments ofcut lines 198 extend at any suitable respective angles that enablereleasable lid locking assembly 150 to function as described herein.

In the example embodiment, blank 100 also includes a first top sidepanel 162 and a second top side panel 164 extending from top panel 120along respective fold lines 166 and 168. Fold lines 166 and 168 define,and are also referred to as, opposing side edges of top panel 120. Inthe example embodiment, blank 100 also includes a first bottom sidepanel 176 and a second bottom side panel 178 extending from bottom panel124 along respective fold lines 180 and 182. Fold lines 180 and 182define, and are also referred to as, opposing side edges of bottom panel124. Fold line 132 defines a front edge of bottom panel 124, and foldline 130 defines a back edge of bottom panel 124. Fold lines 166, 168,180, and 182 are substantially parallel to each other and substantiallyperpendicular to fold lines 126, 128, 130, 132, and 148.

Each of first bottom side panel 176 and second bottom side panel 178extends between a respective pair of opposing fold lines 146 and 186. Aside flap 138 extends from each of first bottom side panel 176 andsecond bottom side panel 178 along fold line 146, and a back tab 184extends from each of first bottom side panel 176 and second bottom sidepanel 178 along fold line 186. Each side flap 138 is separated fromsecond front panel 142 and first front panel 136 by a respective cutline 152. Each back tab 184 is separated from back panel 122 by a cutline 190, and separated from an adjacent one of top side panels 162 and164 by a cut line 192. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), eachback tab 184 is coupled to one of top side panels 162 and 164 by a foldline, and a cut line separates each back tab 184 from one of bottom sidepanels 176 and 178.

In certain embodiments, blank 100 includes at least one first receivingstructure 154 defined in first front panel 136. Moreover, in some suchembodiments, blank 100 includes at least one second receiving structure156 defined in second front panel 142. Receiving structures 154 and 156are positioned to align with lid locking assembly 150 to facilitatereleasably locking a lid of container 200 when container 200 is formed,as will be described herein. For example, in the example embodiment,first receiving structure 154 includes a punch-out panel defined by afold line 151 and a cut line 153 defined in first front panel 136, andsecond receiving structure 156 is a punch-out panel defined by a foldline 155 and a cut line 157 defined in second front panel 142. Whencontainer 200 is formed, fold line 151 aligns with fold line 155, andcut line 153 aligns with cut line 157, such that punch-out panels 154and 156 are rotatable out of plane from first front panel 136 and secondfront panel 142 to create an aperture to receive lid locking assembly150.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown), at least one of firstreceiving structure 154 and second receiving structure 156 is defined asa cut-out. In other alternative embodiments (not shown), blank 100 doesnot include second receiving structure 156. For example, first receivingstructure 154 is defined as a slot (not shown) in first front panel 136positioned to align with intermediate fold line 160 of lid lockingassembly 150 to facilitate locking a lid of container 200 when container200 is formed. In other alternative embodiments, blank 100 does notinclude first receiving structure 154 and second receiving structure156. For example, intermediate fold line 160 of lid locking assembly 150bears against first front panel 136 in a friction fit to facilitatelocking a lid of container 200 when container 200 is formed.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, in the example embodiment, to constructcontainer 200 from blank 100, a base 202 of container 200 and a lid 206of container 200 are formed. Bottom panel 124 forms a bottom wall 210 ofbase 202 of container 200. To form base 202, bottom side panels 176 and178 are rotated about respective fold lines 180 and 182 toward interiorsurface 112 to form first and second side walls 212 and 216,respectively, of base 202. Side walls 212 and 216 are substantiallyperpendicular to bottom wall 210. Side flaps 138 and back tabs 184 arerotated concurrently with bottom side panels 176 and 178. Side flaps 138also are rotated about respective fold lines 146 toward interior surface112 of respective bottom side panels 176 and 178. After rotation, sideflaps 138 are aligned with fold line 132 and are substantiallyperpendicular to side walls 212 and 216. For example, in the exampleembodiment, bottom edges of side flaps 138 contact fold line 132.

Second front panel 142 and first front panel 136, which have anapproximately identical width and length, are rotated along respectivefold lines 132 and 148 toward interior surface 112, causing first frontpanel 136 to be adjacent to second front panel 142 in a face-to-facerelationship, with side flaps 138 located in between second front panel142 and first front panel 136, to form front wall 214 of base 202. Morespecifically, second front panel 142 forms an exterior portion of frontwall 214 and first front panel 136 forms an interior portion of frontwall 214.

In the example embodiment, second front panel 142 includes tabs 159along fold line 132. Tabs 159 include at least partially free edgesbetween bottom panel 124 and second front panel 142. First front panel136 includes tabs 144 along trailing edge 118 that each align with arespective tab 159. Each pair of tabs 159 and 144 have approximatelyidentical width and length. When second front panel 142 and first frontpanel 136 are rotated interiorly along respective fold lines 132 and148, tabs 144 insert into a slot opening created when tabs 159 arerotated outwardly, such that tabs 144 and 159 extend downwardly intoand/or below bottom wall 210. In certain embodiments, tabs 144 extend toa different depth than tabs 159.

In the example embodiment, back tabs 184 are rotated about respectivefold lines 186 toward interior surface 112 of respective bottom sidepanels 176 and 178, such that back tabs 184 are parallel to fold line130. Back panel 122 is rotated about fold line 130 toward interiorsurface 112 into a position perpendicular to bottom wall 210. Back panel122 aligns with back tabs 184 to form a back wall 218 of base 202.Bottom wall 210, side walls 212 and 216, front wall 214, and back wall218 cooperate to define a cavity 204 of base 202.

To construct lid 206 of container 200, in the example embodiment, topside panels 162 and 164 are rotated about respective fold lines 166 and168 toward interior surface 112 to form first and second side walls 222and 226 of lid 206. Top panel 120 forms a top wall 220 of lid 206. Fronttuck flap 134 is rotated about fold line 126 toward interior surface 112to form a front wall 224 of lid 206. Front wall 224 and side walls 222and 226 are substantially perpendicular to top wall 220. It should beunderstood that lid 206 may be formed before base 202 is formed and/orat least partially concurrently with base 202.

As front tuck flap 134 is rotated toward interior surface 112,releasable lid locking assembly 150 is caused to rotate out of planefrom top panel 120 and front tuck flap 134. More specifically, firstlocking assembly panel 194 and second locking assembly panel 196 rotateabout intermediate fold line 160, such that each of first lockingassembly panel 194 and second locking assembly panel 196 projectsoutwardly relative to front wall 224, and intermediate fold line 160 isspaced a distance away from front wall 224. Thus, intermediate fold line160 protrudes outward relative to front wall 224 of lid 206. Forexample, because intermediate fold line 160 is offset from front edge126 of top panel 120 towards leading edge 116, first locking assemblypanel 194 is caused to rotate about first fold line 170 toward interiorsurface 112 into an oblique position with respect to top wall 220, suchthat intermediate fold line 160 protrudes outward from front wall 224 oflid 206. Similarly, second locking assembly panel 196 is caused torotate about fold line 158 toward exterior surface 114 of front tuckflap 134 into an oblique position with respect to front wall 224 of lid206. In certain embodiments, first locking assembly panel 194 proximateat least one apex 188 bears against a free edge 225 defined in frontwall 224 by respective cut line 198, which facilitates stiffeningintermediate fold line 160 in the protruding position. In alternativeembodiments, releasable lid locking assembly 150 does not include apex188 and/or apex 188 does not bear against free edge 225.

In the example embodiment, first locking assembly panel 194 positionedobliquely with respect to top wall 220 defines a pair of first ventopenings 230 in lid 206 on opposing sides of first locking assemblypanel 194. Additionally, first locking assembly panel 194 positionedobliquely with respect to top wall 220 and second locking assembly panel196 positioned obliquely with respect to front wall 224 define a pair ofsecond vent openings 232 in lid 206 on opposing sides of second lockingassembly panel 196.

To close container 200, lid 206 is rotated toward base 202 along foldline 128, such that first side wall 222 of lid 206 is aligned with andsubstantially adjacent to first side wall 212 of base 202, second sidewall 226 of lid 206 is aligned with and substantially adjacent to secondside wall 216 of base 202, and front wall 224 of lid 206 is aligned withand substantially adjacent to front wall 214 of base 202. Moreover,protruding intermediate fold line 160 of lid locking assembly 150cooperates with at least one of first receiving structure 154, secondreceiving structure 156, and front wall 214 of base 202 to releasablysecure lid 206 to base 202.

For example, in the example embodiment, at least a portion of firstlocking assembly panel 194 and second locking assembly panel 196proximate protruding intermediate fold line 160 is received in anaperture 240 that extends through front wall 214. Aperture 240 iscreated by rotation of punch-out panels 154 and 156 out of plane fromfront wall 214 of base 202. In an alternative embodiment (not shown),aperture 240 is defined by complete removal of first receiving structure154 and second receiving structure 156 each defined as a cut-out.

In another alternative embodiment (not shown), aperture 240 is definedonly through first front panel 136, and thus only partially throughfront wall 214, by complete removal of first receiving structure 154defined as a cut-out, and blank 100 does not include second receivingstructure 156. In still another alternative embodiment (not shown),blank 100 does not include second receiving structure 156, and aperture240 is defined only partially through front wall 214 by first receivingstructure 154 defined as a slot. In other alternative embodiments, blank100 does not include first receiving structure 154 and second receivingstructure 156, and protruding intermediate fold line 160 bears againstfront wall 214 in a friction fit.

In certain embodiments, side walls 222 and 226 of lid 206 are positionedagainst respective side walls 212 and 216 of base 202 in a friction fit,further defining a releasably secure closure of lid 206 and base 202. Inalternative embodiments, at least one of side walls 222 and 226 of lid206 are positioned against respective side walls 212 and 216 of base 202in a clearance fit and/or a non-contact fit.

In some embodiments, when container 200 is closed, the protrudinglocking assembly 150 functions as a pushable release mechanism tofacilitate unlocking lid 206 from base 202. For example, but not by wayof limitation, a user (not shown) directly, or indirectly through a pushpanel that defines first or second receiving structures 154 and 156,presses locking assembly 150 adjacent intermediate fold line 160 towardcavity 204, such that locking assembly 150 disengages from aperture 240.Lid 206 may then be opened with reduced interference from an interactionbetween locking assembly 150 and front wall 214.

Prior to closing container 200, a product, such as a food product, maybe placed within cavity 204 of base 202. As such, when lid 206 engagesbase 202, the product is secured within cavity 204 by lid 206 and base202. In certain embodiments, first and second vent openings 230 and 232facilitate enhanced ventilation for a food product contained withincavity 204 when lid 206 is closed. For example, cavity 204 is in flowcommunication with a surrounding environment outside container 200through at least one first vent opening 230. Additionally oralternatively, cavity 204 is in flow communication with a surroundingenvironment outside container 200 through at least one second ventopening 232 and, optionally, aperture 240. Alternatively, a product,other than a food product, that benefits from enhanced ventilation isplaced within cavity 204. Alternatively, a product that does not benefitfrom enhanced ventilation is placed within cavity 204.

As such, in an embodiment, the following steps are performed to formcontainer 200 from blank 100: (1) rotate side flaps 138 about respectivefold lines 146 toward interior surface 112; (2) rotate bottom sidepanels 176 and 178 about respective fold lines 180 and 182 towardinterior surface 112 to form side walls 212 and 216 of base 202; (3)rotate second front panel 142 and first front panel 136 about respectivefold lines 132 and 148 towards interior surface 112, such that firstfront panel 136 contacts second front panel 142, with side flaps 138located in between second front panel 142 and first front panel 136,tabs 144 on first front panel 136 are inserted into partially free edgesof tabs 159, and front panels 136 and 142 are substantiallyperpendicular to bottom wall 210 of base 202 to form front wall 214 ofbase 202; (4) rotate top side panels 162 and 164 about respective foldlines 166 and 168 toward interior surface 112 to side walls 222 and 226of 206; and (5) rotate front tuck flap 134 about fold line 126 towardinterior surface 112 to form front wall 224 of lid 206, such thatreleasable locking assembly 150 is rotated out of plane with top wall220 and front wall 224 of lid 206 and intermediate fold line 160protrudes outwardly from front wall 224 of lid 206. In alternativeembodiments, steps (1)-(5) are performed in any suitable sequence thatenables container 200 to be formed as described herein.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a first example embodiment of a blank 300of sheet material. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a first exampleembodiment of a container 400 formed from blank 300 shown in FIG. 3. Asdescribed above, in alternative embodiments, container 400 and,correspondingly, blank 300 may have any suitable size, shape, and/orconfiguration.

Referring to FIG. 3, blank 300 has a first or interior surface 312 andan opposing second or exterior surface 314. Further, blank 300 defines aleading edge 316 and a trailing edge 318. Blank 300 includes, in seriesfrom leading edge 316 to trailing edge 318, a first side panel 334, afirst end panel 320, a second side panel 322, a second end panel 324,and a glue panel 342, coupled together along preformed, generallyparallel, fold lines 326, 328, 330, and 332 respectively. First endpanel 320 and second end panel 324 also are referred to as front panel320 and rear panel 324, respectively. More specifically, front panel 320extends from first side panel 334 along fold line 326, second side panel322 extends from front panel 320 along fold line 328, rear panel 324extends from second side panel 322 along fold line 330, and glue panel342 extends from rear panel 324 along fold line 332.

In the example embodiment, blank 300 also includes a first top sidepanel 362 and a first bottom side panel 364 extending from first sidepanel 334 along respective fold lines 366 and 368. Fold lines 366 and368 define, and are also referred to as, opposing top and bottom edgesof first side panel 334. In the example embodiment, blank 300 alsoincludes a second top side panel 336 and a second bottom side panel 338extending from second side panel 322 along respective fold lines 348 and352. Fold lines 348 and 352 define, and are also referred to as,opposing top and bottom edges of second side panel 322.

Also in the example embodiment, blank 300 also includes a rear top panel372 and a rear bottom panel 374 extending from rear panel 324 alongrespective fold lines 384 and 386. Fold lines 384 and 386 define, andare also referred to as, opposing top and bottom edges of rear panel324. Also in the example embodiment, blank 300 includes a top tuck flap376 extending from rear top panel 372 along a fold line 390, and abottom tuck flap 378 extending from rear bottom panel 374 along a foldline 392. In particular, fold line 390 defines, and is also referred toas, front edge 390 of rear top panel 372. Top tuck flap 376 extends fromfront edge 390 of rear top panel 372 to an opposite free edge 391 ofblank 300. Fold lines 366, 368, 348, 352, 384, 386, 390, and 392 andfree edge 391 are substantially parallel to each other and substantiallyperpendicular to fold lines 326, 328, 330, and 332.

Blank 300 also includes a releasable lid locking assembly 350 locatedalong at least a portion of front edge 390. Releasable lid lockingassembly 350 is substantially identical to releasable lid lockingassembly 150 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. More specifically, releasable lidlocking assembly 350 includes a first locking assembly panel 394 coupledto a second locking assembly panel 396 along an intermediate fold line360, and intermediate fold line 360 is substantially parallel to, andoffset towards free edge 391 from, front edge 390 of rear top panel 372.First locking assembly panel 394 is defined within rear top panel 372and top tuck flap 376, and second locking assembly panel 396 is definedwithin top tuck flap 376.

More specifically, in the example embodiment, second locking assemblypanel 396 extends from top tuck flap 376 along a fold line 358 definedwithin top tuck flap 376 substantially parallel to, and offset from,free edge 391. First locking assembly panel 394 extends from secondlocking assembly panel 396 along intermediate fold line 360. Morespecifically, first locking assembly panel 394 extends from intermediatefold line 360 to rear top panel 372, and is coupled to rear top panel372 along a first fold line 370 that is substantially parallel tointermediate fold line 360. First fold line 370 is offset nfrom frontedge 390 of rear top panel 372 in a direction away from free edge 391.Opposing ends of locking assembly panels 394 and 396 are defined by apair of cut lines 398 each defined in top tuck flap 376 and rear toppanel 372.

As described above with respect to releasable lid locking assembly 150,In the illustrated embodiment, each cut line 398 includes two segmentsthat extend obliquely with respect to intermediate fold line 360 anddefine an apex 388. First locking assembly panel 394 is positionablesuch that first locking assembly panel 394 proximate apex 388 engages afree edge defined in top tuck flap 376 by cut line 398 when releasablelid locking assembly 350 is positioned to secure a lid to a base ofcontainer 400, as will be described herein. In certain embodiments, apex388 is again spaced a distance from first fold line 370 that isapproximately one-half to two-thirds of a distance between first foldline 370 and intermediate fold line 360, such that first lockingassembly panel 394 has a greater width than second locking assemblypanel 396. For example, the two segments of cut line 398 extend at equalbut opposite angles relative to intermediate fold line 360. In some suchembodiments, a respective magnitude of each angle is within a range ofbetween 30 to 60 degrees. In alternative embodiments, the two segmentsof at least one cut line 398 are co-linear, such that cut line 398 formsa straight line substantially perpendicular to intermediate fold line360 and apex 388 is not defined. In other alternative embodiments, apex388 is spaced any suitable distance from first fold line 370 and/or thetwo segments of cut lines 398 extend at any suitable respective anglesthat enable releasable lid locking assembly 350 to function as describedherein.

In certain embodiments, blank 300 includes at least one first receivingstructure 356 defined in front panel 320. Receiving structure 356 ispositioned to align with lid locking assembly 350 to facilitatereleasably locking a lid of container 400 when container 400 is formed,as will be described herein. For example, in the example embodiment,receiving structure 356 is defined as a cut-out in front panel 320, suchthat receiving structure 356 receives lid locking assembly 350 whencontainer 400 is formed and a lid of container 400 is closed. In analternative embodiment similar to that shown for receiving structure 156in FIG. 1, receiving structure 356 includes a punch-out panel defined infront panel 320, and the punch-out panel is rotatable out of plane fromfront panel 320 to create an aperture to receive lid locking assembly350 when container 400 is formed and a lid of container 400 is closed.In another alternative embodiment (not shown), receiving structure 356is defined as a slot (not shown) in front panel 320 positioned to alignwith intermediate fold line 360 of lid locking assembly 350 tofacilitate locking a lid of container 400 when container 400 is formed.In other alternative embodiments, blank 300 does not include receivingstructure 356. For example, intermediate fold line 360 of lid lockingassembly 350 bears against front panel 320 in a friction fit tofacilitate locking a lid of container 400 when container 400 is formed.

With reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, in the example embodiment, to constructcontainer 400 from blank 300, a base 402 of container 400 and a lid 406of container 400 are formed. To form base 402, first side panel 334 isrotated about fold line 326 towards interior surface 312 of front panel320 into a substantially perpendicular relationship with front panel320. Front panel is rotated about fold line 328 towards interior surface312 into a substantially perpendicular relationship with second sidepanel 322. Second side panel 322 is rotated about fold line 330 towardsinterior surface 312 into a substantially perpendicular relationshipwith rear panel 324. Glue panel 342 is rotated about fold line 332towards interior surface 312 into a substantially perpendicularrelationship with rear panel 324 and a face-to-face relationship withfirst side panel 334. For example, but not by way of limitation,exterior surface 314 of glue panel 342 is in face-to-face relationshipwith interior surface 312 of first side panel 334. Glue panel 342 iscoupled to first side panel 334 in any suitable fashion to form amanufacturing joint.

Moreover, first bottom side panel 364 is rotated about fold line 368towards interior surface 312 of first side panel 334 into asubstantially perpendicular relationship with first side panel 334, andsecond bottom side panel 338 is rotated about fold line 352 towardsinterior surface 312 of second side panel 322 into a substantiallyperpendicular relationship with second side panel 322. In addition, reartuck flap 378 is rotated about fold line 392 towards interior surface312 of rear bottom panel 374 into a substantially perpendicularrelationship with rear bottom panel 374, and rear bottom panel 374 isrotated about fold line 386 towards interior surface 312 into asubstantially perpendicular relationship with rear panel 324, such thatrear bottom panel 374 is in face-to-face relationship with first andsecond bottom side panels 364 and 338, and such that rear tuck flap 378is in a face-to-face relationship with front panel 320. For example, butnot by way of limitation, exterior surface 314 of first and secondbottom side panels 364 and 338 is in face-to-face relationship withinterior surface 312 of rear bottom panel 374, and exterior surface 314of rear tuck flap 378 is in face-to-face relationship with interiorsurface 312 of front panel 320.

Rear bottom panel 374 and first and second bottom side panels 364 and338 form a bottom wall 410 of base 402. First side panel 334 and gluepanel 342 form a first side wall 412 of base 402. Front panel 320 andrear tuck flap 378 form a first end wall 414, second side panel 322forms a second side wall 416, and rear panel 324 forms a second end wall418 of base 402. First end wall 414 and second end wall 418 are alsoreferred to as front wall 414 and rear wall 418, respectively. Bottomwall 410, side walls 412 and 416, front wall 414, and back wall 418cooperate to define a cavity 404 of base 402.

To construct lid 406 of container 400, in the example embodiment, toptuck flap 376 is rotated about fold line 390 toward interior surface 112of rear top panel 372 into a substantially perpendicular relationshipwith rear top panel 372. Rear top panel 372 forms a top wall 420 of lid406, and top tuck flap 376 forms a front wall 424 of lid 406. As toptuck flap 376 is rotated toward interior surface 312, releasable lidlocking assembly 350 is caused to rotate out of plane from rear toppanel 372 and top tuck flap 376. More specifically, first lockingassembly panel 394 and second locking assembly panel 396 rotate aboutintermediate fold line 360, such that each of first locking assemblypanel 394 and second locking assembly panel 396 projects outwardlyrelative to front wall 424, and intermediate fold line 360 is spaced adistance away from front wall 424. Thus, intermediate fold line 360protrudes outward relative to front wall 424 of lid 406. For example,because intermediate fold line 360 is offset from front edge 390 of reartop panel 372 towards free edge 391, first locking assembly panel 394 iscaused to rotate about first fold line 370 toward interior surface 312into an oblique position with respect to top wall 420, such thatintermediate fold line 360 protrudes outward from front wall 424 of lid406. Similarly, second locking assembly panel 396 is caused to rotateabout fold line 358 toward exterior surface 314 of top tuck flap 376into an oblique position with respect to front wall 424 of lid 406. Incertain embodiments, first locking assembly panel 394 proximate at leastone apex 388 bears against a free edge 425 defined in front wall 424 byrespective cut line 398, which facilitates stiffening intermediate foldline 360 in the protruding position. In alternative embodiments,releasable lid locking assembly 350 does not include apex 388 and/orapex 388 does not bear against free edge 425.

In the example embodiment, first locking assembly panel 494 positionedobliquely with respect to top wall 420 defines a pair of first ventopenings 430 in lid 406 on opposing sides of first locking assemblypanel 394. Additionally, first locking assembly panel 394 positionedobliquely with respect to top wall 420 and second locking assembly panel396 positioned obliquely with respect to front wall 424 define a pair ofsecond vent openings 432 in lid 406 on opposing sides of second lockingassembly panel 396.

To close container 400, first top side panel 362 is rotated about foldline 366 towards interior surface 312 of first side panel 334 into asubstantially perpendicular relationship with first side panel 334, andsecond top side panel 336 is rotated about fold line 348 towardsinterior surface 312 of second side panel 322 into a substantiallyperpendicular relationship with second side panel 322. In addition, lid406 is rotated toward base 402 along fold line 384, such that top wall420 of lid 406 is in face-to-face relationship with first and second topside panels 362 and 336. For example, but not by way of limitation,exterior surface 314 of first and second top side panels 362 and 336 isin face-to-face relationship with interior surface 312 of rear top panel372. Moreover, protruding intermediate fold line 360 of lid lockingassembly 350 cooperates with at least one of receiving structure 356 andfront wall 414 of base 402 to releasably secure lid 406 to base 402.

For example, in the example embodiment, at least a portion of firstlocking assembly panel 394 and second locking assembly panel 396proximate protruding intermediate fold line 360 is received in anaperture 440 that extends through front wall 414. Aperture 440 iscreated by the cutout that defines receiving structure 356. In analternative embodiment (not shown), aperture 440 is created by rotationof punch-out panels (not shown) out of plane from front wall 414 of base402, similar to aperture 240 shown in FIG. 2.

In another alternative embodiment (not shown), aperture 440 is definedby receiving structure 356 defined as a slot. In other alternativeembodiments, blank 300 does not include receiving structure 356, andprotruding intermediate fold line 360 bears against front wall 414 in afriction fit.

In some embodiments, when container 400 is closed, the protrudinglocking assembly 350 functions as a pushable release mechanism tofacilitate unlocking lid 406 from base 402. For example, but not by wayof limitation, a user (not shown) directly, or indirectly through a pushpanel that defines receiving structure 356, presses locking assembly 350adjacent intermediate fold line 360 toward cavity 404, such that lockingassembly 350 disengages from aperture 440. Lid 406 may then be openedwith reduced interference from an interaction between locking assembly350 and front wall 414.

Prior to closing container 400, a product, such as a food product, maybe placed within cavity 404 of base 402. As such, when lid 406 engagesbase 402, the product is secured within cavity 404 by lid 406 and base402. In certain embodiments, first and second vent openings 430 and 432facilitate enhanced ventilation for a food product contained withincavity 404 when lid 406 is closed. For example, cavity 404 is in flowcommunication with a surrounding environment outside container 400through at least one first vent opening 430. Additionally oralternatively, cavity 404 is in flow communication with a surroundingenvironment outside container 400 through at least one second ventopening 432 and, optionally, aperture 440. Alternatively, a product,other than a food product, that benefits from enhanced ventilation isplaced within cavity 404. Alternatively, a product that does not benefitfrom enhanced ventilation is placed within cavity 404.

As such, in an embodiment, the following steps are performed to formcontainer 200 from blank 100: (1) rotate first side panel 334, frontpanel 320, second side panel 322, rear panel 324, and glue panel 342about parallel fold lines 326, 328, 330, and 332, respectively, suchthat first side panel 334 and second side panel 322 are substantiallyparallel to each other and substantially orthogonal to front panel 320and rear panel 324, and such that glue panel 342 is in face-to-facerelationship with first side panel 334 to form side walls 412 and 416,front wall 414, and back wall 418; (2) couple glue panel 342 to firstside panel 334 to form a manufacturing joint; (3) rotate rear tuck flap378 about fold line 392 into substantially perpendicular relationshipwith rear bottom panel 374, and rotate first and second bottom sidepanels 364 and 338 and rear bottom panel 374 into substantiallyorthogonal relationship to side walls 412 and 416, front wall 414, andback wall 418 to form bottom wall 410; and (4) rotate top tuck flap 376into substantially perpendicular relationship to rear top panel 372 toform top wall 420 and front wall 424 of lid 406, such that releasablelocking assembly 350 is rotated out of plane with top wall 420 and frontwall 424 of lid 406 and intermediate fold line 360 protrudes outwardlyfrom front wall 424 of lid 406. In alternative embodiments, steps(1)-(4) are performed in any suitable sequence that enables container400 to be formed as described herein.

Embodiments of the above-described container are easily constructed froma flexible unitary blank of paperboard. Further, embodiments of theabove-described container include an easily formed releasable lockingassembly for a lid and a base. The releasable locking assembly is atleast partially defined on a tuck flap on the glid, and does not requireadditional blank material to be added to the tuck flap and/or frontpanel. In some embodiments, when the container is closed, the protrudinglocking assembly functions as a pushable release mechanism to facilitateunlocking the lid from the base. Moreover, in certain embodiments, thereleasable locking assembly defines at least one vent opening thatfacilitates enhanced ventilation for a food product within the containerwhen the lid is closed.

Example embodiments of a container have been described above in detail.The container is not limited to the specific embodiments describedherein, but rather, components of the container and/or steps of themethod may be utilized independently and separately from othercomponents and/or steps described herein. Further, the describedcomponents and/or method steps can also be defined in, or used incombination with, other apparatus and/or methods, and are not limited topractice with only the apparatus and method as described herein.

While the invention has been described in terms of various specificembodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the inventioncan be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of theclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A blank of foldable sheet material for forming acontainer, said blank comprising: a top panel comprising a front edge; atuck flap extending from the front edge of the top panel to an edge ofthe blank; and at least one releasable locking assembly located along atleast a portion of the front edge of the top panel, the at least onereleasable locking assembly comprising a first locking assembly panelcoupled to a second locking assembly panel along an intermediate foldline, wherein the intermediate fold line is offset from the front edgeof the top panel towards the edge of the blank.
 2. A blank in accordancewith claim 1, wherein the first locking assembly panel is rotatable intoan oblique position with respect to the top panel and the second lockingassembly panel is rotatable into an oblique position with respect to thetuck flap when a lid of the container is formed.
 3. A blank inaccordance with claim 2, wherein the first locking assembly panel isrotatable into the oblique position with respect to the top panel todefine a pair of first vent openings in the lid of the container onopposite sides of the first locking assembly panel, and the secondlocking assembly panel is rotatable into the oblique position withrespect to the tuck flap to define a pair of second vent openings onopposite sides of the second locking assembly panel, when the lid of thecontainer is formed.
 4. A blank in accordance with claim 1, wherein thefirst locking assembly panel is defined within the top panel and thetuck flap, and the second locking assembly panel is defined within thetuck flap.
 5. A blank in accordance with claim 1, wherein the secondlocking assembly panel extends from the tuck flap along a fold linedefined within the tuck flap.
 6. A blank in accordance with claim 1,wherein opposing ends of the first and second locking assembly panelsare defined by a pair of cut lines each defined in the tuck flap and thetop panel.
 7. A blank in accordance with claim 6, wherein each of thepair of cut lines includes two segments that extend obliquely withrespect to the intermediate fold line and define an apex.
 8. A blank inaccordance with claim 7, wherein the first locking assembly panel ispositionable such that the first locking assembly panel proximate theapex engages a free edge defined in the tuck flap by the cut line whenthe releasable lid locking assembly is positioned to secure a lid to abase of the container.
 9. A blank in accordance with claim 7, whereinthe first locking assembly panel extends from the top panel along afirst fold line, and the apex is spaced a distance from the first foldline that is approximately one-half to two-thirds of a distance betweenthe first fold line and the intermediate fold line.
 10. A blank inaccordance with claim 7, wherein the two segments of the cut line extendat opposite angles relative to the intermediate fold line, such that arespective magnitude of each angle is within a range of between 30 to 60degrees.
 11. A blank in accordance with claim 1, further comprising: afirst front panel; and at least one first receiving structure defined inthe first front panel, the at least one first receiving structurepositioned to align with the at least one releasable lid lockingassembly to facilitate releasably locking a lid of the container whenthe container is formed.
 12. A blank in accordance with claim 11,wherein the first receiving structure is defined in the first frontpanel and comprises at least one of cutout, a slot, and a punch-outpanel defined by a fold line and a cut line.
 13. A container formed froma blank of foldable sheet material, said container comprising: a lidcomprising a top wall and a front wall emanating from a front edge ofthe top wall; and at least one releasable locking assembly located alongat least a portion of the front edge of the top wall, the at least onereleasable locking assembly comprising a first locking assembly panelcoupled to a second locking assembly panel along an intermediate foldline, wherein each of the first and second locking assembly panelsproject outwardly relative to the front wall of the lid, such that theintermediate fold line is spaced a distance away from the front wall ofthe lid.
 14. A container in accordance with claim 13, wherein the firstlocking assembly panel is positioned obliquely with respect to the topwall and the second locking assembly panel is positioned obliquely withrespect to the front wall of the lid.
 15. A container in accordance withclaim 13, wherein a pair of first vent openings are defined in the lidon opposite sides of the first locking assembly panel, such that acavity of the container is in flow communication with a surroundingenvironment outside the container through at least one of the pair offirst vent openings.
 16. A container in accordance with claim 13,wherein a pair of second vent openings are defined in the lid onopposite sides of the second locking assembly panel, such that a cavityof the container is in flow communication with a surrounding environmentoutside the container through at least one of the pair of second ventopenings.
 17. A container in accordance with claim 13, wherein thesecond locking assembly panel emanates from the front wall of the lidalong a fold line defined within the front wall of the lid.
 18. Acontainer in accordance with claim 13, wherein opposing ends of thefirst and second locking assembly panels are defined by a pair of freeedges.
 19. A container in accordance with claim 18, wherein each of thepair of free edge of the first and second locking assembly panelsincludes two segments that extend obliquely with respect to theintermediate fold line and define an apex.
 20. A container in accordancewith claim 19, wherein the first locking assembly panel proximate theapex engages a free edge defined in the front wall of the lid.
 21. Acontainer in accordance with claim 19, wherein the first lockingassembly panel emanates from the top wall along a first fold line, andthe apex is spaced a distance from the first fold line that isapproximately one-half to two-thirds of a distance between the firstfold line and the intermediate fold line.
 22. A container in accordancewith claim 19, wherein the two segments of the free edge of the firstand second locking assembly panels extend at opposite angles relative tothe intermediate fold line, such that a respective magnitude of eachangle is within a range of between 30 to 60 degrees.
 23. A container inaccordance with claim 13, further comprising a base comprising: a frontwall of the base comprising a first front panel; and at least one firstreceiving structure defined in the first front panel, the at least onefirst receiving structure positioned to align with the at least onereleasable lid locking assembly to facilitate releasably locking the lidof the container.
 24. A container in accordance with claim 23, whereinthe first receiving structure is defined in the first front panel andcomprises at least one of a cutout, a slot, and a punch-out paneldefined by a fold line and a cut line.
 25. A method of forming acontainer from a blank of sheet material, the blank including a toppanel comprising a front edge, a tuck flap extending from the front edgeof the top panel, and at least one releasable locking assembly locatedalong at least a portion of the front edge of the top panel, the methodcomprising: rotating the tuck flap toward an interior surface of the toppanel, such that the top panel forms a top wall of a lid of thecontainer and the tuck flap forms a front wall of the lid; and rotatinga first locking assembly panel and a second locking assembly panel ofthe at least one releasable locking assembly about an intermediate foldline, such that each of the first and second locking assembly panelsproject outwardly relative to the front wall of the lid and theintermediate fold line is spaced a distance away from the front wall ofthe lid.